Public Health Thank You Day 2010
WASHINGTON—November 15, 2010—On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Research!America and leading public health organizations recognize Public Health Thank You Day, in honor of the public health professionals who research, identify and implement prevention and public health interventions that allow us all to live healthier, safer and longer lives.
While most public health professionals are "unsung heroes," Americans value the impact of their work. In a recent Research!America poll, 84% said prevention and wellness initiatives help reduce health care costs. A similarly high percentage said it is important to invest in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the federal agency charged with protecting Americans' health and safety.
Former Congressman John Edward Porter, Research!America's chair, said, "Sustained investment in public health research is essential to the current and future well-being of our nation. CDC and other federal agencies work to protect Americans from disease and disability. Their work is vital to our health and our economy, and they deserve robust support."
Research!America's President and CEO Mary Woolley said, "Research!America and our partners, the Campaign for Public Health, Campaign for Public Health Foundation, American Public Health Association, Association of Schools of Public Health, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, National Alliance for Hispanic Health and National Association of County & City Health Officials urge all Americans to recognize their federal, state and local public health heroes on November 22 and to thank them for their work."
The Campaign for Public Health Foundation will honor two Unsung Public Health Heroes on November 18 in Washington, DC. Janet Zola, MPH, of the San Francisco Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Prevention Unit, and Cecilia Rosales, MD, of the Office of Border Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services, will be recognized for their commitment and achievements in public health. For details, see www.cphfoundation.org/annual_awards.html.
Research!America launched Public Health Thank You Day in 2005 to salute public health officials. Materials and further information are available at http://www.publichealththankyouday.org/.
Research!America is the nation's largest non-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by member organizations that represent the voices of 125 million Americans. Visit http://www.researchamerica.org/.